At AQI 84, city breathes easy

In a rare and welcome turn of events, Delhi, which usually logs poor air quality, on Saturday recorded a significant improvement this month, with the Air Quality Index (AQI) briefly falling into the ‘satisfactory’ category.

According to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), Delhi recorded an AQI of 84 at 4 pm on Saturday (July 20), officially placing the city’s air in the “satisfactory” range. The most remarkable reading came on July 23, when the AQI dropped further to 67, marking the cleanest day of the month.

AQI levels ranging from 51 to 100 are classified as satisfactory, indicating minor or no health concerns for the general public. These levels are infrequently seen in Delhi, particularly during the summer and post-monsoon seasons, when pollution levels are usually aggravated by dust, vehicle emissions and industrial activities.

Officials from the CPCB have attributed the improvement in air quality this July to favourable meteorological conditions, including consistent rainfall and enhanced wind speed. These conditions helped in dispersing pollutants and clearing the air over the city.

Experts suggest that while the improvement is temporary, it reflects how responsive Delhi’s air quality is to shifts in weather patterns. However, they also caution against viewing this as a long-term solution. Without systemic changes in emissions management, construction dust control and vehicular pollution regulation, such episodes are likely to remain short-lived.

Delhi has consistently ranked among the world’s most-polluted Capitals. The city’s air quality typically deteriorates sharply during the winter months, often entering the ‘very poor’ or ‘severe’ categories.

While being brief, this window of relief offers a glimpse into what cleaner air in Delhi could look like — and reinforces the urgency for long-term environmental action.